Compact rural Sakaka is cut through by its main street which is hard to miss. The street is lined with shops and government offices; the authentic Al-Nusl Hotel is also located here. In the town's north, the ancient fort of Qasr Za'abel is perched atop a scenic cliff; east from here is Jabal Burnus rock with carvings dating back to the 6th century BC.

San Diego is, above all, a waterfront city, and one of the best ways to experience its charm is by strolling along the scenic San Diego Bay Waterfront. This vibrant area features beautiful parks, museums such as the Maritime Museum of San Diego and the USS Midway Museum, as well as plenty of seaside bars and restaurants. Be sure to check the calendar for the many sailing regattas, outdoor festivals, and events that take place along the bay each year.

County Kildare is home to the windswept Bog of Allen, and to a leisurely section of the restored Royal Canal. There’s a masterpiece of an 8th-century High Cross in Moone. Maynooth Castle anchors the leafy university town of the same name. Kildare is also home to one of Ireland’s great driving routes. Following the course of the Gordon Bennett Cup, which saw racing daredevils whizz through Kildare, Carlow and Laois in 1903, the 104-mile circuit recalls a time when Ireland’s speed limit was just 12mph. The county is a marvellous mix of old and new, of natural landscapes and precisely manicured gardens, of horseracing competitions and stylish fashion events.